CUNARD UNVEILS WORLD-CLASS ITINERARIES FOR QUEEN MARY 2

In one of the most ambitious new ship launches, Cunard Line has introduced the long-awaited inaugural itineraries for its Queen Mary 2 – the largest, longest, widest, tallest and most expensive passenger vessel ever constructed. The itineraries, which include the traditional six-day transatlantic crossing, Caribbean voyages from New York, Rio de Janeiro sailings at Carnival time, as well as Europe and the Americas, are featured in the just-released Inaugural Season brochure.

According to Deborah Natansohn, senior vice president, worldwide sales and marketing, Cunard Line, “Since we announced our intent to build Queen Mary 2, I have been inundated with questions about her itineraries. I am thrilled to be able to reveal some of the most exciting voyages on what will certainly be the world’s most desirable travel experience. QM2 is destined to become the benchmark by which all other passenger ships are judged.” Inaugural season voyages from just $1,299

It is only fitting that the maiden voyage of QM2 be a transatlantic crossing, for which she was designed. Inaugural festivities to be held in Southampton, her U.K. homeport, promise to be fit for a Queen complete with pomp and circumstance befitting the launch of the first new ocean liner in more than 30 years. On January 12, 2004, Cunard’s new flagship will set out for North America calling at Madiera, Tenerife and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, Barbados and St. Thomas en route to Fort Lauderdale for her inaugural voyage from the U.S.

QM2 will use both Fort Lauderdale and New York as her U.S. bases for a series of warm-weather sailings to some of the most desirable islands in the Caribbean. Due to her capability of cruising at a speed of nearly 30 knots, QM2 is able to sail a deep Caribbean route out of New York, unlike most other ships. Itineraries from eight to 14 days – offered in March, November and December – will visit San Juan, St. Kitts, Martinique, Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, Aruba, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

Come February, travellers on two voyages will have the opportunity to celebrate Carnival in Rio with QM2 as their five-star floating hotel. The southbound cruise leaves Fort Lauderdale February 11, calling at St. Thomas and Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, before arriving in Rio for an overnight aboard ship. Northbound guests overnight on board February 23 before sailing to Fort Lauderdale via Barbados, Martinique, St. Maarten and St. Thomas.

Commemorative crossings from New York & Southampton

On April 16, 2004, QM2 will set sail from Southampton on her Inaugural Westbound Transatlantic Crossing to New York. Then, on Sunday, April 25, Cunard Line will celebrate an historic day when it not only marks the Inaugural Eastbound Transatlantic Crossing for QM2,but also the final eastbound crossing for her sister ship, Queen Elizabeth 2. The famous QE2 – in transatlantic service since 1969 – will continue to operate her annual World Cruise and will offer a full line-up of exciting cruises from Southampton.

To celebrate this milestone, the Queens will sail transatlantic in tandem with QE2 leading the way for her younger sibling. The last two Cunard Line Queens to be in the port of New York together were their legendary namesakes, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, in the 1940s.

Cunard has offered regularly scheduled service between the U.S. and England since 1840. The passage has evolved into a journey rich with tradition, elegance and romance, one widely favoured by the international jetset, rock stars and royalty. From April through October 2004, QM2 will operate 15 crossings between Southampton and New York, priced from $1,499 per person, double occupancy.

Sampler cruises & European summer holidays

To showcase Cunard’s glamorous new flagship to New Yorkers, two short, round-trip cruises from New York have been created. A three-day departs May 7, timed for Mother’s Day, and a four-day departs July 1, in order to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Five summer Europe cruises from Southampton will take QM2 to ports in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the Iberian Peninsula. Three 12-day cruises call at Vigo, Mallorca, Barcelona, Malaga and Cadiz in Spain, as well as Gibraltar, UK; Marseille, France; and Lisbon, Portugal.

A two-week variation adds a taste of Italy to the above itinerary with calls at Civitavecchia, from where passengers can visit Rome, and Livorno, gateway to Florence and Pisa. On July 11, QM2 sails round-trip from Southampton to Norway’s fjords via Edinburgh. Ports include Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Aalesund and Hellesylt/Geiranger in Norway; Hamburg, Germany; and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

In September, the ship will cruise along the Eastern Seaboard to the highlights of Canada and New England on two 12-day cruises round-trip from New York. Ports include Portland, Maine; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; Quebec City, Quebec; Newport, Rhode Island; and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Queen Mary 2: In a royal league of her own

In the spirit of her predecessors, the 2,620-passenger QM2 will evoke a feeling of grandeur and elegance, while at the same time featuring contemporary style and amenities and the latest technological innovations. The first ocean liner to be built since QE2, she will feature classic Cunard hallmarks such as sweeping staircases, expansive promenades, stylish restaurants and public rooms of an imposing scale. The sheer size of the vessel, 150,000 tonnes, has enabled the line to create a space ratio per passenger of 57.25, making her among the grandest of the world’s larger passenger ships.

QM2 will represent the pinnacle of maritime achievement. She is being constructed by the renowned shipyard of Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint Nazaire, France, the birthplace of such famous liners as Normandie, France and Ile de France. Because QM2 is a prototype of such unique design, the $800 million project employs teams of naval architects, engineers and maritime experts, including the marine interior design firms of SMC-Tillberg and designteam, both based in London.

The liner’s handsome, traditional exterior lines are being complemented by stylish interiors that carry the grace and elegance of a bygone era into the future. Facilities include 1,310 fully equipped staterooms and suites, nearly three quarters of which will have their own private balcony, and a variety of passenger spaces, from a majestic, three-storey dining room to intimate bars and lounges to the first sea-going planetarium.

On the technical side, the QM2 power plant will include two gas turbines and four diesel engines. More than two-thirds of this energy will be used to power a state-of-the-art Mermaid Pod Propulsion System, comprised of two fixed and two azimuthing pod units. The first four-pod installation to date, the powerful new system will provide a speed of nearly 30 knots with low noise and vibration levels and maximum manoeuvrability.

For more information on Queen Mary 2, contact a professional travel agent, call Cunard at1-800-7-CUNARD or visit the website www.cunard.com. AOL keyword: Cunard.